Grid network for distribution of files

Abstract

In an embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes first server nodes having authentication functions coupled to a network. The system also includes second server nodes having repositories of complete files also coupled to the network. The system further includes a set of client nodes having local repositories for files coupled to the network. The client nodes are configured to share segments of complete files on a peer-to-peer basis through the network. In another embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes requesting segments of a media file from a first client through a peer-to-peer connection. The method further includes providing a first authenticated job ticket in the requesting. The method also includes receiving the segments of the media file from the first client through a peer-to-peer connection so long as the first authenticated job ticket remains valid.

1 . A system, comprising: 
 first server nodes having authentication functions coupled to a network;    second server nodes having repositories of complete files also coupled to the network; and    a set of client nodes having local repositories for files coupled to the network, the client nodes configured to share segments of complete files on a peer-to-peer basis through the network.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a client node of the set of client nodes requests segments from a second server node only when the client node determines the segment may not be retrieved effectively from another client node of the set of client nodes.    
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the complete files encode data of a digital movie.    
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the complete files encode data of a digital ebook.    
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the complete files encode data of a database.    
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein: 
 client nodes of the set of client nodes request and receive authentication from a first server node prior to exchanging segments across the network.    
   
   
       7 . A system, comprising: 
 a local client including    a network interface,    a repository interface,    a rendering interface,    an encryption engine,    a user interface,    and    a control module;    and    a local repository;    wherein the local client is to    interact with a server on a network through the network interface to receive authorization for file access,    and    transfer segments of a file to and from the local repository and to and from other local clients on other systems using authenticated peer-to-peer connections.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the local client is to render the segments into a format useful for interaction with a user through a display.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the local client is to decrypt segments from the local repository.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a display.    
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a processor coupled to the display and the local repository,    the processor to execute the local client.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the local repository includes an encrypted store of file segments.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the file segments are segments from a plurality of media files.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the media files are movie files.    
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 means for displaying video data.    
   
   
       16 . A method, comprising: 
 requesting segments of a media file from a first client through a peer-to-peer connection;    providing a first authenticated job ticket in the requesting;    receiving the segments of the media file from the first client through a peer-to-peer connection so long as the first authenticated job ticket remains valid.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 receiving requests for the segments of the movie file from a second client with a second authenticated job ticket through a peer-to-peer connection;    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 responding to the requests for the segments of the movie file by verifying authenticity of the second authenticated job ticket with a server;    and    further responding to the requests for the segments of the movie file by transferring segments to the second client through a peer-to-peer connection.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 receiving a specific request from a third client for a peer-to-peer connection, the third client coupled to a network through a firewall;    responding to the specific request from the third client and establishing a peer-to-peer connection;    and    exchanging file segments with the third client.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 decrypting segments of the movie file;    and    rendering the decrypted segments of the movie file for display to a user.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 decrypting segments of the movie file;    storing decrypted segments of the movie file in a local file of the local repository;    and    rendering the decrypted segments of the local file for display to a user.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the method is embodied in a set of instructions embodied in a machine-readable medium, the instructions executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform the method.